James l



[No Modem. y Y Y J. L. BRANSON.

SINKER MEGHANISM PoR KNITTING MACHINES.

NQ. 570,695. Patented Nov. 3, 1896.

Q s@ c?, d, 7 C) O 7 Inventor.

Attorney.

UNITED STAT-Es l PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES L. BRANSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE BRANSON MACHINE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE,

SINKER MECHANISM'FOR KNlTTlNG-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 570,695, dated November 3, 1 896.

Application filed May 14, 1896. Serial No. 591,489. (No model.) l

To @ZZ whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, JAMES L. BRANsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city yand county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sinker Mechanism for Knitting-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to sinker or webholding mechanism for knitting-machines having especial reference to that class wherein the sinkers or web-holders are constructed and arranged to slide in a plane at right angles to the path of movement of the needles in a manner to hold down the successive stitches during the upward strokes of the reciprocating needles and to feed forward the fabric as rapidly as it is produced.

The invention is particularly, though not exclusively, designed for use in connection with the devices set out in Letters Patent of the United States Nos/445,494 and 464,313, dated January 27 1891, and December 1, 1891, respectively, which devices,'as willbe seen by reference to the patents, comprise a circular series of thin angular metallic blades Working radially between and alternating with the needles, the vertical member of each plate being provided with a forwardly-extending notched tail or finger that is guided in a slot or kerf in the upper edge of the needle-cylinder, and the lower horizontal member of each plate being tted to and guided in a radially-slotted annular bed surrounding said cylinder, and being provided with an appropriate cam-engaging portion.

The suiker-actuating cams are supported in aring rotatably mounted on the sinker-bed, which ring moves with reference to and in concert with the knitting-cams to eifect the requisite movements of the sinkers in respect to the needles during the formation of the stitches.

The object of the invention is to provide simple and efficient means whereby the sinkers shall be guided and steadied in their movements and whereby the forward or stitch-engaging portions thereof shall be held uniformly down to their work irrespective ofthe irregularities of the bearing-surfaces incident to wear, dac., as will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a partial plan of the head of a knitting-machine embodying the invention. Fig. 2is a plan of the sinkercam and a part of the supporting-ring therefor. Fig. 3 is a transverse section, as on the line fw lw of Fig. 1. Figs. 4 and 5 are sections on the lines and y of Fig. 1, respectively. Fig. 6 is a section as on the line .z .a of Fig.- 1.

The numeral 1 designates the needle-cylinder; 2, the vertically-reciprocable needles therein; 3, the radially-grooved sinker-supporting bed affixed to the needle-cylinder; 4,

the radially-reciprocable sinkers which alternate with the needles, and 5 the rotatable sinker-cam ring which is superimposed on the bed 3 in a manner to coact with the sinkers, all being substantially the same in construction and operation as the corresponding parts set out in .the aforementioned patent, No. 464,313. Y

As will be observed, the cam-ring is provided on its under side with a concentric groove 6 and with a pair of oppositely-disposed pivoted cams 7, that extend into the groove, which lgroove andcams are designed to coact withbu'tts'S on the sinkers to eifect the requisite movements of the latter. y

Heretofore when the sinkers were moved inward to engage the web the .forward ends of'the sinkers have tended to move or rise upwardly, thereby impairing their positive action. Y This was particularly the case afterl the bearing-surfaces of the sinkers and other parts had become worn and uneven through continued use. I .mount, preferably detachably, upon the sinker-bed directly above the cams, plates'A, which overhang the upper members 10 of thef sinkers and aiford bearing-surfaces therefor during their horizontal movements, the inner To overcome this objection,v

IOO

eled at its ends to insure its uninterrupted passage upon and over the sinkers. (See Fig. 6.)l

The portion a is provided with a slot c, through which extends the set-screw CZ from the underlying sinker-actuating cam, Whereby said cam may be properly adjusted in respect to the ring 5. Fitted horizontally to the portion@ is a screw e, 'which may be screwed up against the screw d so as to insure the minute adjustment of the cam. EX- tending vertically through the body of the plate near the respective corners thereof are set-screws f, that bear upon the top of the ring 5. By manipulating these latter screws, when the screw d is loosened, the plate may be nicely adjusted vertically in proper relation tothe engaging edges of the sinkers, not only tv h'en the parts are first assembled, but when they have become Worn and irregular by 'continued service.

In ordfer 'to prevent 'displacement of the adj usted plate, vertical 'screws g are provided, which exten-d through perforations in the plate finto 'the underljfizrig rin i. The combination, 'of the needle-cylindert, he sinlerebed, the radially-reciprocable sinkers therein, the provided with a groove 'an'dcam to acti'la'te said sinkers, and a p iate projectinginwardly beyond the cani and cam-ring 'and providing a guiding and stead'ying surface for the forward Yportions of the upperedges of the sinkers during their reepr'ocation by said cam, substantially as described.

2. The combination, With the sinkersand their supporting pa-rts, 'of in ea'ns provided with a cam to a'ctuate said sinl'iers, and a detachable inwardly-extending' plate on said mea-'ns adjacent to the canr'and 'providing -a guiding and steadying surface for the forward portions of the upper edges of the sink'- ers during their reeifprocatioh b'y said cam, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the vs'inkers and their supporting parts, of means provided with a oan adapted toY actuate said sinkers, and a vertically-adjustable inwardly-entendin'g plate on said means adjacent to the cam and 'providing a guiding and A'steadying vsurface for the upper edges o'f the sinkers during their reciprocati'on by Ysaid cam, and means for adjusting said plate, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the needle-cylinder, the sinker-be'd, the angular sinkers therein, a cam-support, and a cam thereon for actuating said sinkers, of an inwardly-extending' plate overhanging 'the upper meinbers of said sinkers and serving as a guiding and steadyingsurface therefor during their bers of said sinkers and serving as a guidingand steadying surface therefor during their reciprocation by the cam, and means for vertically adjusting said plate, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the sinkers and their supporting parts, of a cam-support, a,

a vertically-adjustable p late on said support providing a guiding and steadyin'g surface for the upper edges of the sinkers, verticallydisposed screws extending through said plate and bearing upon the said support, and means for fixing said plate in positions of vertical adjustment, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with the sinkers and their supporting parts, of a cam-sapport, an adjustable cam thereon for actuating said sinkers, a set-screw risingthe're'from, a'sinker, steadying plate on said support, 'through vhich plate the said screwr entends, and-a horizontal 'screw in said platebearing against the said-'set-screv, substantially Ias described. 8. The combination, with the sink-ers and their supporting parts, of 'a cam-s`upport, op-

positel'y-disposed cams thereon for actuating said sinkers, and plates mounted on said support above the cams, 'and provided with overhanging inner edges that afford guiding and steadying surfaces for the forward or stitchengagingportlions of the sinkers during their reciprocation by said cams, substantially as described; E

9. The combination, with the Vneedlefc'ylinder, the sinker-bed, the angular sinkers therein, a cam-support, and cams thereon` for actuating said sinkerS, of plates mounted on said support above the cams, each 0f said plates comprising a base portion recessed and laterally' extended on its forward edge to provide an overhanging bearing-surface for the forward vupper edges of the sinkers during their reciprocation by said cams, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my'signature in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JAMES L. BRANsoIN.

lvitnesses WALTER S. SUTiiERLANn, J oHN R. NoLAN.

cam thereon adapted to actuate said sinkers,

now 

